Australian swimming champion Kyle Chalmers has revealed a special tattoo he will look to for inspiration during the Paris Olympics. Despite having many tattoos, one in particular holds deep significance for the 26-year-old as he aims to replicate his 2016 Rio gold medal performance.
Chalmers, from South Australia, is known for his numerous tattoos, including a crown and wings on his chest with the German phrase ‘nur die starken überleben’ (only the strong survive). However, his latest tattoo, a simple smiley face with the word ‘mum’ underneath, will serve as a source of strength and motivation in France.
“The special reminder tattooed on my hand provides me with purpose and the strength I need to exceed expectations,” Chalmers shared on Instagram.
Ironically, Chalmers has joked that his extensive collection of tattoos began partly because his mother advised him to stop getting them. He has admitted to regretting the number of tattoos he has but acknowledges their personal significance.
“I regret them all,” he said in 2023. “If I had my time again, I would probably have none. But most of them are very meaningful and tell my story. It is my journal. Now I am so deep into it that it is just an addiction.”
His collection includes tributes to Snoop Dogg, Freddie Mercury, his brother’s birth year, and the postcode for Port Lincoln. His latest addition is a Port Lincoln Tuna tattoo on his leg, symbolizing his connection to his hometown.
In 2022, British swimming star Adam Peaty even tattooed his autograph on Chalmers’ calf after the World Short-Course Championships in Melbourne.
Chalmers’ mother, Jodie, has been his biggest supporter from the beginning. After breaking the world record in the 100m freestyle at the Swimming World Cup in 2021, he dedicated the achievement to her, stating, “Mum is with me every centimetre of the race.”
During the controversy involving his teammates Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson, Jodie was deeply affected by the accusations against her son. Chalmers expressed his frustration over the media’s impact on his family, emphasizing that he has never had a rivalry with anyone and maintains good relationships with his teammates and rivals.
After contemplating his future in swimming following the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Chalmers is now in a better place. He is engaged to fellow swimmer Ingeborg Løyning, who moved from Norway to Adelaide to train with him in preparation for the Paris Olympics.
Chalmers has qualified for the 100m freestyle in Paris, with the Olympics set to begin on Friday, July 26.